NDPDD: Local senior services won’t be interrupted

Written by Tunica Times
Thursday, 29 July 2010 20:13

The recent arrest of North Delta Planning & Development head Glenn K. Brown and the removal of its Area Agency on Aging designation has had little impact on things in Tunica County, according to NDPDD interim director James Curcio.Curcio, who appeared before the Board of Supervisors on July 15 and the Board of Aldermen on July 20, told local officials that the North Delta office is still open.“Some people think we are closing, but that’s just one division...We do a lot of other things. Even if we don’t get our AAA designation back, we are going to continue to operate, “ Curcio said, reporting that North Delta can still assist with grants, etc.

Curcio told both boards that North Delta was planning to respond to the Mississippi Department of Health and ask them to reconsider the removal of North Delta’s Aging Designation. Until a final decision is made, South Delta has taken over Meals on Wheels services for about 22 local seniors. North Delta is continuing to deliver meals paid for by Tunica County plus 75 “medicaid waiver” meals, Curcio said. “Those 22 people probably haven’t even noticed an interruption in service. The only thing that has changed is who is bringing their meal. In some counties, that’s even stayed the same,” Curcio said.Curcio said North Delta was doing all it could to reorganize and satisfy the state and federal regulations. “We know that’s going to be a long process,” Curcio said.The process may include streamlining some jobs and subcontracting some things out. Curcio said it will also include more contact with town and county officials.“We want to keep the board updated on the progress of our efforts,” Curcio said. Curcio shared the same message with the Board of Aldermen on July 20, saying North Delta would continue to move forward with “what we do.” He then presented an application for a grant that would allow the town to purchase some police cars. The grant will provide 15 percent of funding while the town must pay 85 percent.The aldermen approved the grant application and a resolution in support of North Delta.The Board of Supervisors also approved a resolution supporting the organization.In other business, the board of supervisors:• hosted several lot owners for a public hearing.Tunica County Code Enforcer Jewelie Brown reviewed the list of lots, which included properties owned by John A. Ferguson, Bertha Banks, Alonzo Dungeon and Gillie Johnson/James Johnson/Comimilla Johnson.Supervisors opted to give Ferguson 30 days to clean his property. They awarded Banks 60 days to have electricity turned on at her property.The rest will be cleaned up by the county. A lien will be placed against the property and the owner will be responsible for paying it.• authorized $1 charge on any voice over internet phones.The additional revenue will cover E-911 services. Local Emergency Management Director Randy Stewart said it will probably generate less than $100 a month.During their meeting, the Board of Aldermen:• received a report from Barbara Evans of the First Regional Library system. Evans thanked the aldermen for their continued support and asked them to consider funding them again in FY2011. The requested amount was $30,000.• agreed to look into a committee to explore “economic development opportunities to generate sales tax revenue in the city limits.”Alderman Charley Knabb introduced the idea, saying he would like to see a group that could unite entities like the Chamber of Commerce and Tunica Main Street along with other interested parties.“It would be an open discussion where people could share ideas,” Knabb said.The board recommended that Knabb create a list of people who would like to serve on the committee.